Congress not in favour of lifting ban on SIMI

New Delhi, Aug 6 (UNI) The Congress today strongly differed with its main ruling coalition partners, RJD and the LJP, and said it was not in favour of lifting the ban on SIMI.

"There is no question of lifting the ban on the SIMI as they are already banned as a terrorist organisation under Section 35 of the Prevention of Unlawful Activities Act," AICC Spokesman Manis Tewari told mediapersons, while his attention was drawn to reports about the RJD and the LJP welcoming yesterday's High Court order lifting the ban on Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI).

Notwithstanding the High Court order, which was today stayed by the Supreme Court, the ban on the SIMI would continue as its name figured in the schedule listing terrorist organisations under section 35 of the Unlawful Activities Act which replaced the POTA in 2004, he said.

Mr Tewari said the High Court dealt with the issue of SIMI's status as an unlawful organisation under section three of the Unlawful Activities Act.

Mr Tewari said the list of terrorist organisations was taken from the POTA and incorporated in the Unlawful Activities Act.